Allergies

Overview

Allergies are among the nation’s most common and costly health problems. They affect as many as one in four people. More than 50 million Americans have allergic rhinitis. The yearly sales of antihistamines, decongestants, nasal cromolyn, and nasal corticosteroids now exceeds $5 billion. 

Acute Sinusitis
Acute Sinusitis

Allergies

Overview

Allergies are among the nation’s most common and costly health problems. They affect as many as one in four people. More than 50 million Americans have allergic rhinitis. The yearly sales of antihistamines, decongestants, nasal cromolyn, and nasal corticosteroids now exceeds $5 billion. 

Acute sinusitis

Symptoms

Symptoms can range from minor to severe. The greater the frequency and/or amount of exposure, the greater the chance that the susceptible person will develop an allergic problem that will require treatment. People often think of allergy as only “hay fever,” with sneezing, runny nose, nasal stuffiness, and itchy, watery eyes. However, allergies can result in a broader spectrum of symptoms, such as the following:

  • Repeated sneezing 
  • Nasal itching and rubbing 
  • Nasal congestion 
  • Runny nose 
  • Dark circles under the eyes 
  • Crease across the bridge of the nose 
  • Frequent throat clearing 
  • Mouth breathing 
  • Diminished/lost sense of smell/taste 
  • Recurrent, unexplained nosebleeds 
  • Recurrent ear infections 
  • Recurrent sinus infections 
  • Fluctuating hearing loss 
  • Cold-like symptoms more than 10 days 
  • Symptoms recur same time each year 
  • Chronic fatigue 

Causes

Allergy is a condition, often inherited, in which the immune system of the affected person reacts to something that is either eaten, touched, or inhaled that doesn’t affect most other people. Any substance that triggers an allergic reaction is called an allergen. The patient’s immune system reacts to this substance as if it were an “enemy invader” (like a virus). This reaction leads to symptoms that often adversely affect the patient’s work, play, rest, and overall quality of life. Common allergens include pollen, dust, and mold. 

Acute sinusitis

Symptoms

Symptoms can range from minor to severe. The greater the frequency and/or amount of exposure, the greater the chance that the susceptible person will develop an allergic problem that will require treatment. People often think of allergy as only “hay fever,” with sneezing, runny nose, nasal stuffiness, and itchy, watery eyes. However, allergies can result in a broader spectrum of symptoms, such as the following:

  • Repeated sneezing
  • Nasal itching and rubbing
  • Nasal congestion
  • Runny nose
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Crease across the bridge of the nose
  • Frequent throat clearing
  • Mouth breathing
  • Diminished/lost sense of smell/taste
  • Recurrent, unexplained nosebleeds
  • Recurrent ear infections
  • Recurrent sinus infections
  • Fluctuating hearing loss
  • Cold-like symptoms more than 10 days
  • Symptoms recur same time each year
  • Chronic fatigue

 

Causes

Allergy is a condition, often inherited, in which the immune system of the affected person reacts to something that is either eaten, touched, or inhaled that doesn’t affect most other people. Any substance that triggers an allergic reaction is called an allergen. The patient’s immune system reacts to this substance as if it were an “enemy invader” (like a virus). This reaction leads to symptoms that often adversely affect the patient’s work, play, rest, and overall quality of life. Common allergens include pollen, dust and mold.

Diagnosis

Allergies are diagnosed by symptoms with associated allergy testing. There are a variety of different types of allergy testing:

 

Skin Prick Testing

Allergens are introduced to the skin via a tiny needle-like device that barely penetrates the skin. This test is not painful, with minimal to mild discomfort lasting only a couple of seconds. An allergic response occurs when the skin forms a wheal or raised area.

 

Intradermal Testing

Allergens are placed under the skin with a small needle. Stronger concentrations of allergens are used until a positive response is achieved. The smaller the concentration, the more reactive a patient is to that allergen.

 

Modified Quantitative Testing

A combination of both skin prick and intradermal testing. Only one concentration for each allergen is used during the intradermal testing, reducing the number of needle pricks and time of the test compared to traditional intradermal testing.

 

Blood Testing

A blood sample is obtained and tested for antibodies to various antigens. The more prevalent the antibodies, the more likely a patient is allergic to an allergen.

Diagnosis

Allergies are diagnosed by symptoms with associated allergy testing. There are a variety of different types of allergy testing:

 

Skin Prick Testing

Allergens are introduced to the skin via a tiny needle-like device that barely penetrates the skin. This test is not painful, with minimal to mild discomfort lasting only a couple of seconds. An allergic response occurs when the skin forms a wheal or raised area.

 

Intradermal Testing

Allergens are placed under the skin with a small needle. Stronger concentrations of allergens are used until a positive response is achieved. The smaller the concentration, the more reactive a patient is to that allergen.

 

Modified Quantitative Testing

A combination of both skin prick and intradermal testing. Only one concentration for each allergen is used during the intradermal testing, reducing the number of needle pricks and time of the test compared to traditional intradermal testing.

 

Blood Testing

A blood sample is obtained and tested for antibodies to various antigens. The more prevalent the antibodies, the more likely a patient is allergic to an allergen.

Available Treatments

Reduce allergen exposure

The first step many allergy sufferers try is to manage their environment by removing the triggers. In many cases, the trigger is the beloved family pet. Keeping the pet out of the bedroom is a good way to reduce allergen exposure, but may not be enough to control allergy symptoms. Other recommendations to control indoor allergies include vacuuming regularly, eliminating carpet where you can, and washing bedding regularly in hot water. While these tips can help reduce allergen exposure, they are sometimes inadequate. There are some commercially available products designed to reduce or remove allergens from the home, such as dust mites and dander; however, most products are not guaranteed to be effective 

Medications

Medical management is the second step in effective allergy management. Many allergy medications are now available over-the-counter (OTC) at your local drug store, grocery store, or superstore. The most commonly used allergy medications are intranasal steroids (e.g. Flonase, Nasacort, Rhinocort, Nasonex) and antihistamines (e.g. Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, Benadryl). Intranasal corticosteroids work by reducing the inflammation in the nose and airway passages. Antihistamines work by blocking the function of histamine, which is prevalent during an allergic response and triggers the symptoms of runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion. There are also OTC eye drops made specifically to help reduce allergy symptoms in the eye (e.d. Alaway, Zaditor). 

Allergy Immunotherapy

This is a treatment option offered in the physicians office. After you are tested to determine what specifically you are allergic to, the physician will put you on an immunotherapy regimen that includes weekly shots to build up your tolerance to the offending allergen. Allergy immunotherapy usually lasts up to three years to impact the immune system enough to reduce the reaction to allergens.  Another option is sublingual therapy, where the allergen is placed under the tongue to build tolerance to the offending antigen. 

Treatment

Reduce allergen exposure

The first step many allergy sufferers try is to manage their environment by removing the triggers. In many cases, the trigger is the beloved family pet. Keeping the pet out of the bedroom is a good way to reduce allergen exposure, but may not be enough to control allergy symptoms. Other recommendations to control indoor allergies include vacuuming regularly, eliminating carpet where you can, and washing bedding regularly in hot water. While these tips can help reduce allergen exposure, they are sometimes inadequate. There are some commercially available products designed to reduce or remove allergens from the home, such as dust mites and dander; however, most products are not guaranteed to be effective 

Medications

Medical management is the second step in effective allergy management. Many allergy medications are now available over-the-counter (OTC) at your local drug store, grocery store, or superstore. The most commonly used allergy medications are intranasal steroids (e.g. Flonase, Nasacort, Rhinocort, Nasonex) and antihistamines (e.g. Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, Benadryl). Intranasal corticosteroids work by reducing the inflammation in the nose and airway passages. Antihistamines work by blocking the function of histamine, which is prevalent during an allergic response and triggers the symptoms of runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion. There are also OTC eye drops made specifically to help reduce allergy symptoms in the eye (e.d. Alaway, Zaditor). 

Allergy Immunotherapy

This is a treatment option offered in the physicians office. After you are tested to determine what specifically you are allergic to, the physician will put you on an immunotherapy regimen that includes weekly shots to build up your tolerance to the offending allergen. Allergy immunotherapy usually lasts up to three years to impact the immune system enough to reduce the reaction to allergens.  Another option is sublingual therapy, where the allergen is placed under the tongue to build tolerance to the offending antigen. 

Services We Provide

  • Skin prick testing 
  • Modified quantitative testing 
  • Blood testing 
  • Allergy immunotherapy (subcutaneous and sublingual) 

Services We Provide

  • Skin prick testing 
  • Modified quantitative testing 
  • Blood testing 
  • Allergy immunotherapy (subcutaneous and sublingual) 

Services We Provide

  • Skin prick testing 
  • Modified quantitative testing 
  • Blood testing 
  • Allergy immunotherapy (subcutaneous and sublingual) 

GET IN TOUCH

}

Mon, Tues, Thu   8 AM - 5 PM

Wednesday   8 AM - 4:30 PM

Friday   8 AM - 12 PM

OUR LOCATIONS

Ears

Nose

Throat

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

© 2020 Allied ENT Specialty Center. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy

site by blackwood